Note: During Black History Month, we are sharing some of our most-admired black business leaders. If you would like to nominate someone, please let us know!
In 1991, Ramona Hood started working at FedEx as a receptionist. As a 19-year-old single mother at the time, her main focus was to find a job with stable hours. But after some time, she decided to get serious about advancing her career, and advance she did! In 2020 Hood became the first black woman president and CEO at FedEx Custom Critical, which provides expedited services for specialized shipments.
Hood now oversees the executive leadership team and handles the performance and direction of the company. It was her unique approach to the business that allowed her to move quickly through the ranks. She
Ramona Hood - FedEx
has been widely recognized for her excellence in leadership, responsibility, and passion-driven results in the industry with numerous accolades and awards. In 2020, she was named to the Crain’s Power 150 list and was included in Business Insider’s 16 Powerful Women Leading Top Logistics Companies in 2021. In 2010 and again in 2016, Hood received the FedEx Five Star Award: the highest recognition team members can receive at FedEx.
The beginning of her CEO journey was anything but easy as within the first 90 days, a global pandemic hit. Two months later, protests and unrest broke out after the killing of George Floyd. Hood explained how she handled the unprecedented challenges:
"I've been pretty adept at breaking down complex challenges into smaller situations, examining the data, and then being able to convey that into actionable items for the team . . . As a leader, I think through the complexity and the uncertainty of the situation, then communicate a plan to my team.”
FedEx praised Ramona Hood for her “courage, conviction and purpose,” saying she has implemented “culturally significant strategies for ongoing improvement” as she drives the “strategic direction of the company.”
We have no doubt that Ramona Hood’s leadership will continue to be transformative at FedEx Custom Critical and beyond! Read more: https://www.forbes.com/sites/dominiquefluker/2020/05/20/ramona-hood/?sh=71ffa8085087 https://www.blackentrepreneurprofile.com/people/person/ramona-hood https://transportation.trimble.com/resources/blogs/from-receptionist-to-ceo-fedex-s-ramona-hood-shares-lessons-from-her-career https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramona-hood-3388851/ https://www.fedex.com/en-us/about/leadership/ramona-hood.html
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